Thiruvananthapuram, January 24: Convicted in the murder of a Keralite Abdul Wajid in 2013 and awarded a death sentence, A Tamil Nadu man– Arjunan Athimuthu – can finally heave a sigh of relief as the Kuwait government commuted the death sentence to life imprisonment, after his impoverished family raised Rs 30 lakh compensation or ‘blood money’ to pay the victim’s kin.

The case is related with Athimuthu – resident of Athivetti village in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu – who was awarded death sentence for the murder of Abdul Wajid – resident of Vattaloor in Malappuram district of Kerala – in September 2013 in Kuwait. When the convict’s kin filed a petition for mercy, the kin of victim sought Rs 30 lakh as ‘blood money’ for pardoning Athimuthu. Canada Warns of China Travel Risk After Death Sentence.

Informing about the development, PP Narayanan – first secretary for community welfare at the Indian Embassy in Kuwait – e-mailed Munawwarali for his efforts to save Athimuthu. Incidentally Sayed Munawwarali Shihab Thangal – young Muslim leader from Kerala’s Panakkad – helped the kin of Athimuthu with the requisite finance sought by victim’s family.

Munawwarali, while reacting on the news said, as The Hindu quoted, “Alhamdu Lillah [Thank God in Arabic], a human soul could be saved from sure death because of our little effort. It’s a moment to rejoice for humanity.”

According to the laws in some Gulf countries, including Kuwait, the government can offer a reprieve for the convict if the victim’s family pardons them. The amount given to the victim’s family as compensation for a pardon from death is called ‘blood money’, adds the daily.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 24, 2019 02:24 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).